This is one reason you should avoid assuming that every part of a towel should feel equally fluffy. The textured center and the flatter woven band are designed to perform different functions.
The lines can also make towels easier to fold and stack. When towels are folded along the woven band, the change in texture can provide a natural visual reference point. This is particularly useful for keeping bathroom linen storage organized, especially when you have several towels of different sizes.
Another interesting detail is that the border can make towels easier to identify by size and style. Manufacturers can use different patterns, widths, or colors to create recognizable designs across bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. This is especially common in coordinated bathroom décor collections.
However, the popular claim that the lines are specifically designed to make towels dry faster should be treated cautiously. The main factor affecting how quickly a towel dries is its material, thickness, airflow, humidity, and how much water it contains. The woven border may contain less absorbent material than the terry portion, but it is not a magic drying system.
